The Bucks’ new offensive coordinator, Dave Canales, was hired as left fielder. Head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht interviewed a dozen candidates before hiring the Seattle quarterback coach.
Some of the candidates the Bucks really liked, including Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Bengals quarterback coach Dan Pitcher, turned down teams, presumably due to the idea that Bowles could have a featured seat in 2023. Although the Bucks won the district title last year, the team finished 8-9, losing 31-14 to Dallas in the playoff game at home.
Canales accepted the job for the Bucks, but also interviewed with the Baltimore Ravens for the vacant offensive coordinator position before becoming a candidate for Tampa Bay. Canales spoke on the show about the interview process this offseason. The two B’s in the podcast this summer.
Dave Canales was Ravens OC candidate before Bucks
“It started with the Ravens and the coaches.” [John] Harbaugh was great enough to take me out for an interview,” said Dave Canales. The two B’s in the podcast. “It was like a three-step process.
Bucks OC Dave Canales – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
“Then the Tampa interview. I think I was the last one. So my agent, Colin Robert[Studd]was in the building.” [in Tampa Bay]. He said, “You gotta get my man. You gotta get my man. I tell you.” You’ll want to hear this man, bring him. ’ And he just stuck with it and he called me probably three days after I got back from Baltimore and said, Tampa will take you there. ”
Dave Canales He spent 13 years in Seattle as a wide receiver coach, quarterback coach and passing game coordinator for the Seahawks. However, he has not been called up to play at the college or professional level, making him a somewhat dangerous pick.
But some of the league’s current great playcallers, including Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Matt Lefleur and Zach Taylor, were in the same situation at one point and had to get a start somewhere else.
“I think the last person will benefit.” [to interview in Tampa Bay]’ said Canales. “As you know, they’ve been through a lot, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Long story short, I was interviewing here and about halfway through the interview, Baltimore announced an offensive coordinator (Todd Monken).
“So I went back to the conference room with Coach Bowles and said, ‘Baltimore just gave up on that job and I’m going to put on a real show!’ [on board]”
Dave Canales and Todd Bowles team up to hire Bucks assistant
Canales and Bowles helped hire the rest of the offensive staff. Bowles fired offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich after the loss to Dallas, along with running back coach Todd McNair and receiver coach Kevin Garber. Quarterback coach Clyde Christensen would have been fired if he hadn’t retired.
Bucks RB Coach Skip Peat – Photo Credit: Matt Matera/PR
Running game coordinator Harold Goodwin and offensive line coach Joe Gilbert stayed on, as did tight end coach John Van Damme. Thad Lewis was promoted from assistant receiver coach to quarterback by Canales and Bowles, and Canales ended up bringing in Brad Izik from Seattle to coach the Bucks’ receivers. Bowles hired Skip Peat as running back coach.
“Coach Bowles had a good feel for some of the guys he’d been with and had a really high level of respect for them,” Canales said. “He said, ‘I want to keep these guys.’ They’re grinders, so they’ll like it.” Then he said, “These are the spots we need,” and hired running-back coach Skip Peat. He was in Dallas last year and had two great backs.
“And then we hired a guy named David Lai, who was a receiver coach. , did it thoroughly, made sure things were right, and brought a lot of college football — the offensive spread and great stuff out there.”
Dave Canales knows Tampa has better weather than Seattle
Bucks OC Dave Canales – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Dave Canales has yet to call his first play in Tampa Bay, but his energy and enthusiasm have been well received by the team and coaching staff, as well as the playbook he’s crafted since his Seattle days.
And speaking of Seattle, Canales definitely enjoys the warmth of summer in the Tampa Bay Area.
“I was paddleboarding with my friend Brad,” Canales said. “He’s our receiver coach, and he was paddleboarding the other day, and it’s like 84, it’s 7:30 p.m., it’s sunset. And where are we now? Just blown away.
“We should be united in Seattle right now getting ready to practice, but things are wild. And I’m so blessed. I really appreciate it. And what’s great is the staff here, they’re grinders. And they’ve covered me left and right.
